The Anatomist: Medical Satire in Early Modern Print and Performance

Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) was a prolific artist who produced hundreds of drawings and prints, most of which ridicule contemporary English society, including members of the medical profession. In addition to prints by Rowlandson, related works by William Hogarth (1697-1764) and others have been chosen for this exhibit, in order to consider and contextualize the traditions of social criticism of medicine in the early modern period. Also presented are some editions of Rowlandson’s illustrated books, as well as several early editions of The Anatomist, or, The Sham Doctor, the play by Edward Ravenscroft (ca. 1654-1707) that served as the inspiration for one of Rowlandson’s prints. All of the works in the exhibit serve to illustrate the development of medical satire in print and performance from the 16th to the early 19th century.